Tag Archives: U2

Superstar country duo Sugarland famously took big stylistic risks on their most recent album, Incredible Machine. Aside from the simple, toe-tapping hit “Stuck Like Glue,” Machine took cues from the supersized rock sounds of U2 and Coldplay, with stampeding rhythms, sweeping lyrical sentiments and mile-wide hooks.

Machine’s sound might stick out on the modern country landscape, but you can bet it’ll be right at home in the wide open space of Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena (501 Broadway, 770-7825) on Saturday, April 16. Besides, in their TV appearances and on live effort Live On the Inside, Jennifer Nettles, Kristian Bush and band have proven to be uniquely engaging performers, no matter what sound they’re giving a spin.

Nashville-based artists Lady Antebellum, Kings of Leon and Keith Urban are among the major music stars included on the new 38-song compilation album Songs for Japan, aimed at raising funds to support the disaster relief efforts of the Japanese Red Cross.

Available on iTunes now, the project also includes songs from John Lennon, U2, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Madonna, Bon Jovi and Adele, among others. All the artists, publishing companies and record labels participating in Songs for Japan waived their royalties to ensure that Japan receives as much support from the project as possible. The album may be purchased for $9.99 at www.itunes.com/songsforjapan.

Music industry chronicler Billboard held its Touring Awards on Thursday night, celebrating the performing artists who pull in the biggest global box office numbers, and -- surprise! -- Taylor Swift was one of the big winners.

Swift was part of the Top Package trophy-grab, for her road work with fellow country artists Kellie Pickler and Gloriana.

Kelby Ray, Neil Mason, Jaren Johnston and Ben Brown are American Bang. Click here for more images of the band (this photo: George Walker IV/The Tennessean).

In the world of popular music, 2006 seems like a lifetime ago. The King of Pop was still with us, iPods didn’t make calls and no one had ever heard the name Lady Gaga.

That was also the year Nashville rockers American Bang — then known as Bang Bang Bang — signed a recording contract with Warner Bros. Records. It was a period full of signings, deals and activity in the Nashville rock scene.

Nearly four years later — after so many of its peers either made it big, broke up or went back to their day jobs — American Bang is finally getting a shot at rock stardom. After numerous business-related delays, the band’s self-titled debut album hits stores today. From a creative standpoint, at least, the collection of melodic, hard-driving Southern rock songs was worth the wait.

Famed bluegrass musician and Grand Ole Opry member Del McCoury is among this year’s recipients of the nation’s highest folk and traditional arts honor, the National Endowment for the Arts’ NEA National Heritage Fellowship.

McCoury first came to bluegrass attention in the early 1960s as a member of Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys band. At 71, he remains a leader in the field: His Grammy-winning Del McCoury Band is a headlining act and he contributes other-worldly high harmonies on Dierks Bentley’s revamp of U2’s “Pride (In the Name of Love).”

As one of the nine Heritage Fellowship recipients, McCoury will receive an award of $25,000.

The Long Players will perform U2's "The Joshua Tree" at Cannery Ballroom on June 4 (photo: Peyton Hoge).

Any Nashville fans who were planning a road trip to see U2 on their summer tour got a serious bummer last week: The band had to cancel all dates after Bono injured his back and underwent emergency surgery.

But here’s some good news: Nashville rock-album covers crew the Long Players are still in excellent health, and they’re gonna rip through one of U2’s best albums, The Joshua Tree, from start to finish. Bonus: There’s no need to cram five people in a car to split gas money.

Catch the Long Players on Friday, June 4 at the Cannery Ballroom (1 Cannery Row, 251-3020). Showtime is 9 p.m., and tickets are $15 advance.

Bon Jovi plays Bridgestone Arena on April 21 (photo: Larry McCormack/The Tennessean). Click to see a gallery of photos from the band's 2008 stop here.

New Jersey-bred rock veterans and hair-metal survivors Bon Jovi return to Nashville on Wednesday, April 21 -- nearly two years to the day after their last visit here in April of 2008.

Unlike 2007’s twangified Lost Highway, the band hasn’t returned to the sounds of Music City on their new album, The Circle. Today, they’re retreating to over-the-top, seize-the-day working-class anthems, marrying the pop-metal pump of “Livin’ on a Prayer” with glittery rhythms straight out of the Coldplay/U2 playbook.

Bon Jovi's Nashville show is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. at Bridgestone Arena (501 Broadway, 770-7825). Tickets run $27-$67.

Legendary singer, songwriter, producer, publisher, filmmaker, film subject, radio host and philosopher Cowboy Jack Clement will play the Belcourt Theatre on Thursday, April 29, in a benefit that supports the National Health Care for the Homeless Council.

Above all, he has a charming voice and a completely unique way with an audience.

So, Clement sounds like an interesting kind of fellow. The sort of guy it might be nice to shake hands and make small talk with. Well, he's available for just that sort of thing before the Belcourt show. A $60 ticket includes a pre-show dinner and reception, and is available by calling 226-2292. General admission seats are $40, available through www.belcourt.org.